Skyline Trailer Quotes Stephen Hawking on Alien Fears

Stephen Hawking’s recent, high-profile warnings about the dangers of extraterrestrial contact add some gravitas to this Skyline movie trailer. NASA and talking head Dan Rather also make appearances, but once it gets past all that, this alien-invasion clip offers some striking nighttime vistas of Los Angeles beset by blue beams of energy.

Directed by the Brothers Strause for Universal Studios’ low-budget Rogue division, Skyline is slated to open Nov. 12. But there’s a possible “Houston, we have a problem” scenario: Sony Pictures has its own alien-invasion movie, Battle: Los Angeles, slated for March release. The studio last week sent a cease-and-desist letter to Skyline producers.

VFX house Hydraulx, co-founded by Skyline directors Greg and Colin Strause, created visual effects for Battle: Los Angeles. Sony accuses the pair of pilfering ideas for reuse in their movie.